Generators generating power in blackouts - Suburban Trends' series on storm readiness

People can be left in the dark with just the light of a candle if they are not prepared. There are multiple types of generators that can provide power during blackouts.

Editor's note: This is the fourth in a series of articles about Hurricane Sandy and the lessons learned during one of the most devastating storms to ever hit New Jersey, causing what Governor Christie has estimated to be $36.8 billion in destruction. Look for future installments in each forthcoming Sunday edition.

North Jersey residents are quite accustomed to being without electricity. Since 2011, multiple weather events have left local families in the dark for days at a time. Hurricane Irene, the October 2011 Nor'easter, and more recently Hurricane Sandy all caused extensive blackouts, and utility companies were left scrambling to repair broken lines here, there, and everywhere to restore power.

Homes were left in the dark but there are multiple ways families can sustain the flow of electricity even when the local grid goes down.

One of the best ways to be ready for a blackout is to have an alternative energy source available, such as a generator. There are portable generators, standby generators, and solar-powered generators. They all work differently and are all priced differently, but they all provide power when it is needed the most.

Standby generators are permanently mounted in one location and run on natural gas. Solar-powered generators are also kept in a fixed spot, but are fueled by the sun's rays. But the simplest type of generator is a portable generator.

Portable generators

Portable generators are much less complicated than other types because they can be readily purchased at many hardware stores and hooked up without professional assistance. Although heavy, they can be moved from one area to another. They also require oil and gasoline or propane to run. They can cost a few hundred dollars on up to thousands, depending on how much backup power a person needs.

But those who have them should be cautious, warn officials. Portable generators can catch fire if not used properly, and they leak carbon monoxide.

"After Hurricane Sandy, a lot of people bought portable generators and they are running wires into their homes to run their appliances. That's OK as long as the extension cord is rated for it and as long as the carbon monoxide isn't coming back into their home," said Al Evangelista, coordinator of Pompton Lakes' Office of Emergency Management.

"There were a couple instances where people had their generators on the back porch, right next to the house, and the carbon monoxide actually came into the house and created a problem. So the generator has to be at least 10 feet away from the house, and it's got to have a heavy-duty extension cord capable of handling the amperage because the more stuff you run off the generator, the more amperage is being drawn, and the hotter the extension cord gets," said Evangelista.

"If you are going to run a portable generator, you should do it properly," said Ron Van Dine, the construction and zoning official of Pompton Lakes. "Otherwise you will end up with more problems than you already have. You could burn the house down or get electrocuted."

Another issue with portable generators is that they must be kept filled with gasoline or propane. This can be costly depending on how efficient they are and how long they are being run.

Standby generators

Folks that don't want the hassle of purchasing gallons of gasoline or propane for a portable generator can opt for a standby generator.

This system is permanently mounted outside of the home and it is designed to come on automatically when the power goes out.

But residents must get permits from their respective municipalities to have a standby generator installed. Van Dine said all permits for all four sub-codes – including building, electrical, fire and plumbing – are required.

Jim Hatfield has lived in the Stoneleigh section of Riverdale since 1999. When he first moved in, he would suffer periodic power outages that would last for hours.

"I remember the first Thanksgiving we had the whole family here – my wife's family and my family – and as I put the knife into the turkey the power went out," said Hatfield. "That was the first time."

He said it wasn't until the October 2011 Nor'easter, when the power was out for a few days, that he decided to get a standby generator.